Introduction to Economic Analysis. I need a question. The draft of the literature review is due in seven hours, and I still lack a question. I don’t lack a subject, I simply lack a question. I sit here with pages and pages of tables and papers all dealing somehow with China’s economic history or our trade with and investments in China, etc. Mostly relating to China, some just relating to globalization as a whole. Protectionism, “fair trade,” technology, independence… Interesting papers by Jagdish Bhagwati, interesting questions posed by other economists (all answered), and no realtively unique, interesting questions for me. At least not that I can think of.

I’d originally intended on writing something on the gold standard, but in addition to not possibly being able to hold my interest for a semester, it seems as though I would have to prove Milton Friedman wrong in order to come to any intriguing, new conclusion. Then, why not write a paper about China’s fixed rate currency, its effects on trade balance and preventing hyperinflation in a rapidly developing economy… do I even know what I’m saying there? Doubtful. Anyway, China’s not keen on sharing its economic records, at least as far as I’ve found. So I come back to what I’m interested in.

I’m trying to take a more mature, reasonable approach to it this time. I can’t remember if Ayn Rand was mentioned in my final paper for the globalization seminar, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Not to say that I’ve turned my back on Ms. Rand, but (in addition to developing my own criticisms of her philosophy) I’d like to think I’ve learned to better seperate philosophy, economic theory, and reality. So fine, fine, well and good, a nice collegey paper on something involving globalization maybe I suppose possibly? You see, halfway through that sentence is where I begin to lose what I’m saying. This stuff interests me, it does. Philosophically, boo collectivism yay rational individualism. Theoretically, boo protectionism yay free trade. Realistically, apparently globalization is long-run awesome for everyone. But what’s new?

Any question I can come up with here are questions that I already know the answers to, or at least I think I do. I’m not claiming to know everything there is to know, not at all, not in the slightest. Good lord I know so little; it’s quite discouraging. What I’m saying is that without knowing what I don’t know, how can I ask the questions? I feel like I should already know the interesting conclusion before I ask the question. There’s something interesting here somewhere. I’m interested in China’s development, and there’s plenty of information there, but I can’t seem to find the data. I’m interested in global trade, open borders, the world is flat and whathaveyou, but I can’t think of anything new.

I suppose tomorrow is only the peer-reviewed draft. But by Monday this question needs to be concrete. I’ve got three days to become brilliant.